Carrasco, J., Casassa, G. & Rivera, A. (2002) : “Meteorological and climatological aspects of the southern Patagonia icefield” In: The Patagonian Icefields. A unique natural laboratory for environmental and climate change studies. CASASSA, G., F. SEPÚLVEDA & R. SINCLAIR (Eds.) Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, pp. 29-41.

Resumen / Abstract.

The Southern Patagonia Icefield (SPI) is located at mid-latitudes in southern South America, which is dominated by the westerly regime and frontal systems. This results in a high frecuency of cloudy days (more than 70% of the time) and precipitation events. Analyses of air temperature and precipitation data from southern meteorological stations for the past century indicate an overall warming and decrease in precipitation until the mid-80’s, but no significant changes are observed afterwards. In fact, the coastal stations show an increase in precipitation after the 1980’s. The mid-term behavior of the atmospheric variables introduces uncertainties in predicting the consequences of future climate change in southern South America.